Good Bat for Youth Player
Written: Oct 03 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: excellent sound, bigger sweet spot, great colors
Cons: seems to lend itself to the appearance of wear and to denting in some cases
The Bottom Line: I think this is a good bat for your high-level youth baseball player to use in his development in the game.
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| tkerodd's Full Review: Worth Lithium Prodigy Baseball Bat |
As I have risen through the ranks from T-ball to buddy ball and now to travel ("select") baseball, I have learned a lot. The first thing that I learned is that the days where the team uses one bat, brought by the coach, are long past. Second, I found out that one's limits for bats are set only by their own willingness and ability to spend.
Finding a bat can be tough at first, as there are a lot of bats out there. And they all look and feel similar. I determined that the best purchase is one based on experience, and had my son begin to "test" some bats of other players to see which one he liked best. Dangerous territory for a 10 year old...he liked them all. But the other coaches and I were able to see easily that the Worth Lithium Prodigy seemed to be a good fit, so I decided to do some research.
Specifially, we looked at the 2009 Worth Lithium Prodigy with a length of 30 inches and a weight of 19 ounces, for a drop of -11. That gives my son a bat that is long enough with a light weight that allows him to really get the bat out there quickly into the zone to make contact.
Cost is something to consider. If you are not aware, these youth/senior bats can carry a price tag of around $300. I almost choked the first time someone told me that! If you are not playing at a high level, spending that much money for a bat that your child will outgrow in a few years can seem a bit absurd. Having said that, there are opportunities to find some savings. Internet sites often feature the bats at discounted pricing, and you can often find "last year's model" for less on the web. It is worth noting that my research for this year indicates that the 2010 model features no changes from the 2009. At this writing, you can find the 2009 model in the $139 price range.
If you are not familiar with the length/weight ratio, for younger or smaller hitters, as those who use a Senior League Laser, you want a lighter bat. The higher the negative, the better, ie -10 is better than -8 The lighter the bat, the greater the bat speed. The longer and lighter the bat, the better the whip action, allowing greater velocity and distance. Adults are stronger, making a lower negative much more dangerous for play. This bat is perfect for players from around 9 to 13. Models are available in all weights and lengths, depending on the player's size and strength. Have your player swing a few and he will let you know the difference.
Now to the bat itself. This particular bat is made of Lithium D955, which is considered by many to be among the strongest aluminum found in baseball bats. This model has a frame that is 30% thinner than average bats, resulting in higher flex and greater bat speed. One warning: it can also lead to increased wear and (if you have a strong batter) denting. It also has a 2 3/4 inch barrel, giving it a bigger "sweet spot" which helps the player in hitting. You will want to check with your particular league to determine that these bats are allowed for play for that age group.
The bat has a leather grip to assist with vibrations and help act as a silencer. Excessive vibration can affect the player's swing...and it can hurt their hands, too. On the end of the bat is a weighting plug that is designed to help the batter follow through, resulting in better form and better hits. This bat comes in a nifty blue/white/silver color scheme that looks cool. As with most comparable bats, it comes with a 12 month manufacturers warranty.
After preparing for this purchase I have learned that a lot of engineering goes into baseball bats for kids, much more than I would have expected. But the resuts are there: since getting this bat my son has hit several home runs, has a higher batting average, and has gone from a "good" hitter to a "wow" hitter. The sound of the bat is the best part; we can tell when he is hitting well in batting practice from several fields away just by the "TING" of the bat. It has helped his play, and has also helped his confidence. He feels that he has one of the better bats on the market in his hands, and therefore feels that he has his best opportunity to get a big hit.
Overall, I have had a good experience with this bat. My son likes it, he hits with it, and he feels it helps his game. Other parents have bought this same bat for their players based on our experience, which is an indictor that it works. But I will caution that all players are different; it is worth taking a little extra effort to let the player swing a few bats, and try them if possible, to see what feels good to them.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tkerodd
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Location: Jackson, MS
Reviews written: 507
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